Eddie the Lover

Although adopting a rescue pet is a heartwarming and transformative experience, Second Chance Humane Society urges anyone preparing to bring a new pet into the family to realize that it is a lifetime commitment.  It is critical to acknowledge that pet adoption almost always involves a transition period while the pet learns that he/she really is a permanent family member – forever.   Additionally the bonding and attachment process doesn’t happen overnight – but everyone has to get to know each other better at their own pace.  

Eddie, a very good natured Red Heeler who has been at the Second Chance Shelter for several weeks wrote this poem to help remind us all of this.

“The Meaning of Rescue”

Now that I’m home, bathed, settled and fed,
All nicely tucked in my warm new bed,
I’d like to open my baggage, lest I forget,
There is so much to carry—so much to regret.
Hmmm—Yes, there it is, right on top
Let’s unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame.
As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave,
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
But I wasn’t good enough for they didn’t want me.
Will you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things — And take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage, To never repack?
I pray that you do—I’m so tired, you see,
But I do come with baggage—
Will you still want me?

Eddie adjusted smoothly  to the staff, volunteers and the various other Shelter pets and is ready to make a new transition into a loving forever home.  He has a deformed front foot which he has fully learned to accept and which does not prevent him from playing with other dogs or cuddling with staff and volunteers and living a completely happy and normal life.  Come meet him today, one look into his angelic eyes and you will be hooked like the rest of us…

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance, Volunteer & Foster Care, or other Programs.  Visit our shelter pets online: www.secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Direct Pet Column questions to:  kelly@secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Photo by Real Life Photographs.

 To all pet lovers, from Spark Plug, an adorable cat waiting here at the Second Chance Humane Society for adoption…. Enjoy….

 If I Didn’t Have a Dog… Or Cat……

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.
My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture & cars would be free of hair.
When the doorbell rings, it wouldn’t sound like a kennel.

 When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without
wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.

I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted,
without taking into consideration how much space
Several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.

I would have money, & no guilt to go on a real vacation.

I would not be on a first-name basis with numerous  veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grandkids through college.

The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, & leave him/her/it ALONE.

My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

My house would not look like a day care center, with toys everywhere.

My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.

 I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L,,
F-R-I-S-B-E-E, W-A-L-K,, T-R-E-A-T,, R-I-D-E,, GO

I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much.

I’d look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading ‘mud’ season.

 I would not have to answer the question ‘Why do you have so many animals?’ from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel  as they will ever get.

How EMPTY my life would be!!!

‘Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened’

 Thanks to all who have helped Second Chance Humane Society increase adoptions by 50% over 2008 (through September that is…).

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance, Volunteer & Foster Care, or other Programs.  Visit our shelter pets online: www.secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Direct Pet Column questions to:  kelly@secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Photo by Real Life Photographs.

Copper - shinier than a Penny

The Advertising Council, in partnership with The Humane Society of the United States, and Maddie’s Fund announced the launch of The Shelter Pet Project, a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign, designed to encourage pet lovers throughout the country to make shelters their first choice for acquiring companion animals. The Shelter Pet Project is the first national PSA campaign to bring together the largest animal welfare organizations and many shelters across the country for one unified goal—to increase pet adoption.

There are approximately 75 million dogs and 88 million cats in American households. Presently, most people do not obtain their pets from shelters, but rather from pet stores, the Internet sellers, friends, neighbors, breeders or other sources. According to The Humane Society of the United States and Maddie’s Fund, eight million pets enter shelters and rescue groups every year, with three million of these healthy and treatable pets euthanized due to lack of adoption.

The Shelter Pet Project aims to change the public’s perception of shelter pets and encourage Americans to save a pet’s life by adopting from an animal shelter or rescue group.  Second Chance Humane Society is one of hundreds of shelters that receives a large variety of mixed and full bred pets that we hope you will consider for your next pet.

The humorous PSAs aim to break down the stereotypes associated with shelter pets and make shelters and rescue groups the desired place for people to find a pet. The ads feature stories of how pets come into shelters through no fault of their own, but to due owners’ issues, such as divorce, financial difficulty, and ill-prepared owners. The television, radio, print, outdoor and web ads direct audiences to visit a new comprehensive website, www.theshelterpetproject.org, to find out more information about how to adopt a pet from a shelter. The website also includes a “Pet Personals” section, where users are matched with pets from a local shelter or rescue group. 

“We are proud to join with The HSUS and Maddie’s Fund on this very important campaign, the first in our 67-year history that will benefit pets,” said Peggy Conlon, President & CEO of the Ad Council. “This campaign will help change the conversation about pet shelters and help Americans understand that they are a wonderful place to adopt a pet. Ultimately, our efforts will provide loving homes for healthy shelter dogs and cats throughout the country.”

In addition to the new PSAs and website, The Shelter Pet Project will engage the target audiences through a series of social media strategies, including blog and online outreach, as well as social networking initiatives. The campaign will encourage advocates, shelter workers, pet lovers and all Americans to become a “fan” and take a pledge to adopt a pet on Facebook. Audiences will also have the opportunity to sign up on Twitter to receive tweets from a shelter pet, which convey his point of view, and view the new PSAs through YouTube. You can join through the following links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shelter-Pet-Project/126480082642

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shelterpets

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/shelterpetproject

My name is Copper, a handsome German Short Hair/Pointer mix here at the Second Chance Shelter – I certainly never deserved to become homeless – and by spreading the word on the Shelter Pet Project you can help pets like me find the loving forever homes we do deserve!

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance, Volunteer & Foster Care, or other Programs.  Visit our shelter pets online: www.secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Direct Pet Column questions to:  kelly@secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Photo by Real Life Photographs.

 

 

 

 

 

Sheba of the Shelter

 

My name is Sheba, Sheba of the Second Chance Shelter.  I am one of the 14 cats that came to Second Chance after our parent died a few months ago.  A few of us have found new homes but most of us are still waiting.  We have all had dentals, vaccinations, and all but a few are now healthy and ready to move on.  However, being advanced in age makes it challenging to find a new forever home and, although I am only about 8 years old with plenty of spunk, a few of my step-siblings are more at the retired age of 10+ and just need a warm and loving home where they can rest and cuddle.

Recently Second Chance had a successful adoption of a senior cat – the only downside to that great news was that it took almost two years to occur.  Not that this is a bad place, but I would much rather be in a home of my own than here at the shelter for the next two years…but this Pet Column is not a sob story.  It is a story of truth. 

So let me give you the beta about adopting a senior pet – it is actually ideal for many families and worth investigating further. For example, we are so less needy than our younger counterparts and have learned to let go of many of our bad habits and demands.  Most importantly we teach others an acceptance of life that is comparable to the Zen Masters teachings – BE. 

Many people that I have briefly met at the shelter and who have had their hearts opened by my unabashed willingness to extend myself to them have ended up leaving with one of the younger cats here at the shelter.  I do fully comprehend their fear of the potentially shorter lifetime we would have together.  People would rather avoid or prolong the grief of saying goodbye that is a natural part of life, I understand this (remember I am a Zen Master…). 

I also know that we make the most of what we have – and cat life longevity varies from up to 20+ years.  So yes, adopting an older pet has certain risks to it, but there are no guarantees of longevity for any pet you adopt.  The important thing is that the time we have together will be richly rewarded by love, connection, and companionship. 

I am not attempting to persuade someone to bring a pet home that is not the right person or family, but I am asking you to consider that perhaps you ARE the right person.  If you have a warm and comfortable home where I can stay inside and greet you and the rest of the family with willingly received rubs and purrs, you might want to consider coming to meet me or my step-siblings at the shelter. 

Most of all I just want to fulfill my purpose, to love and be loved.  In closing, at the risk of sounding melodramatic, I will leave you with this thought: every day more spent at the shelter is one day less I can spend with you… 

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance, Volunteer & Foster Care, or other Programs.  Visit our shelter pets online: www.secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Direct Pet Column questions to:  kelly@secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Photo by Real Life Photographs.

Sheba of the Shelter

October 16^th marks the 9^th Annual National Feral Cat Day and Second Chance Humane Society hopes that all Pet Column readers will participate in promoting this day devoted to protecting and improving the lives of cats around the country. 

National Feral Cat Day was launched in 2001 by Alley Cat Allies, the national advocate for feral and stray cats and a recognized authority on Trap‐Neuter‐Return—a program in which cats who live outdoors are humanely trapped and brought to a veterinarian to be evaluated, spayed or neutered and vaccinated.

Trap‐Neuter‐Return is the best course of action for feral cats, because it ends the breeding cycle and stops behaviors associated with mating.  Scientific evidence as well as decades of hands‐on experience shows that Trap‐Neuter‐Return is more humane than programs that rely on catch and kill.

“The cost of catch and kill is too high, and not only in terms of dollars,” said Becky Robinson, President of Alley Cat Allies. “Being killed in an animal pound or shelter is the leading documented cause of death for cats in the United States.”

Second Chance Humane Society operates a Feral Cat Program in Ouray and San Miguel Counties.  One issue that I have encountered was being mistaken for a feral cat when in fact I was a friendly stray.  (I am now available for adoption and can be found at the Second Chance Shelter – just ask for “Sheba”). 

People often confuse feral cats with stray cats but there is a difference.  A feral cat is a domestic cat that was lost or abandoned and has turned to the wild for survival.  Or it is a cat that was born to a stray or feral mother and had little or no human contact.

Adult feral cats are usually too fearful to socialize and are not suited to cohabiting with people. Feral kittens have some potential toward being socialized and domesticated. Feral cats often live in family groups called colonies that form near a source of food and shelter.  They can survive almost anywhere, and are found worldwide.

A stray cat, on the other hand, is a fully domesticated cat that wandered from home or was abandoned and has been on its own for a shorter period of time. A stray cat may be skittish in your presence, but because they once knew human companionship, they can usually be re-socialized and re-homed.

In understanding the distinctions between ferals and strays, the important issue to recognize is that all feral cats originated from a domestic cat and thus it is the responsibility of humanity to care for and protect them – as they are not truly “wild animals”.

Thus, if you do have an unfamiliar cat hanging about your house call the SCHS Helpline (below) and talk to someone about the best approach to help it find a home or get assistance through the Feral Cat Program.  For more information about National Feral Cat Day, see www.alleycat.org/NFCD.

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance, Volunteer & Foster Care, or other Programs.  Visit our shelter pets online: www.secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Direct Pet Column questions to:  kelly@secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Photo by Real Life Photographs.

 

 

Stubby the Smartie

Stanley Coren

, an emeritus professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, canine researcher and author of “How Dogs Think” and “The Intelligence of Dogs”, is touting the newest research strategy for understanding dogs – utilizing tests meant for very young children.  He states that these tests designed for pre-linguistic or limited-linguistic humans are now successfully being applied to see whether dogs have certain mental capacities.

Coren states, “And that allows you then to do a whole bunch of things, not only to determine whether a dog has a certain thinking skill but to place him in terms of where would he would be in terms of human beings, as well as in terms of other animals “.  Thus Coren’s research has found that the mental abilities of dogs are close to those of a human child between 2 and 2½ years old.

Coren’s research reviews numerous studies that show how dogs are more like humans than previously thought. He says dogs can learn about 165 words and signals (265 for the more intelligent dogs), can count up to four or five, and have a basic understanding of arithmetic. Also, he says, dogs can intentionally deceive other dogs and people to get things they want.

Raving about the abilities of dogs, Coren stated: “We all want insight into how our furry companions think, and we want to understand the silly, quirky and apparently irrational behaviors Lassie or Rover demonstrate. Their stunning flashes of brilliance and creativity are reminders that they may not be Einsteins but are sure closer to humans than we thought.”

My name is “Stubby”, a very bright dog here at the Second Chance Shelter, and I would offer some words of caution regarding the application of this data.  Anthropomorphizing intelligence indicators of dogs can be misleading as there are breed specific “intelligences” that humans would not value as highly but that indicate a “canine” intelligence that was important to the development of that breed.  For instance, the tracking abilities of the Hound breeds, the breeds on the bottom rung of the “intelligence” would be more important to that breed than other skills that humans value. 

Thus, just because the Border Collie is considered the most intelligent dog by obedience trainers does not mean that it is the best dog for everyone.  As Coren points out, depending upon your lifestyle it may be more difficult to live with a more intelligent, rather than a less intelligent dog.  An intelligent dog that is not appropriately trained, socialized, exercised, or mentally stimulated will find other ways to manage these energies – and often these behaviors tend to be undesirable for pet parents.

As a smart Jack Russell Terrier, I will do best in a home where I can receive vigorous daily exercise and plenty of companionship – come visit me at the Shelter today!

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance, Volunteer & Foster Care, or other Programs.  Visit our shelter pets online: www.secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Direct Pet Column questions to:  kelly@secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Photo by Real Life Photographs.

"Treasue" the real treasure...

Second Chance Humane Society is very fortunate to not have to resort to euthanasia to make space for other pets.  Not all shelters have that freedom as they are overwhelmed and overburdened with too many homeless pets.  Yes, millions of homeless pets are still being euthanized in shelters across the country every year.  We are making great improvements, reducing the number from 17 million (of just 10 years or so ago) to under 4 million.  But that is still several million too many.

The book “One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter” confronts the realities of the larger shelters that are forced to euthanize pets on a daily basis.  The authors of “One at a Time”, Diane Leigh and Marilee Geyer wrote a “Pledge for Life” which I wanted to share with all Pet Column readers.  I think it is powerful, and if everyone was willing to take such a pledge millions of homeless pets would not be facing euthanasia.

I care about animals.
I want to help bring about an end to the homeless animal tragedy.
I believe that the euthanasia of millions of animals in shelters every year is an unacceptable solution to this tragedy …

And I understand that my actions have a direct effect, that my actions can create change. 

I pledge to never cause an animal to be in an animal shelter.

I pledge …
To understand the commitment of taking on a companion animal.
To be ready and willing to accept that commitment before I bring an animal into my home and my family.

To educate myself so that I can make a good choice of an animal.

To save a life by adopting a homeless animal from a shelter, rescue group, or from the street.

To protect my companions from becoming lost by keeping them safely confined and wearing current identification at all times.

To not contribute to overpopulation by spaying and neutering my companion animals.

To provide my companion animals with the basics of food and shelter and medical care, and to provide them with the love and companionship they need to be happy.

To include my companion animals as part of my family, to socialize them so that they are comfortable in human society, to train them so that they will be safe and be good citizens.

To work through problems with my companions, and to include them in my own life changes.

To always demonstrate respectul, loving and responsible companion animal care so that others may learn from my example and want to do the same.  

I make this pledge to the animals, between them and me,
to the animals I know, and the ones I may never see,
to the animals in my home, and the ones in our shelters,
to the animals here, and the ones yet to come.

I make this pledge to honor their love and companionship, to acknowledge their intrinsic value, to respect them as living beings who carry the same precious spark of life that I myself do.

I understand that the solutions are in my hands.

I pledge to use those solutions, and in doing so, to begin to create a community and a society that shows compassion, love, and respect for those who cannot speak for themselves.

My name is “Treasure” and as a homeless cat here at the Second Chance Shelter, I urge you to consider taking this pledge.  As I await my new family to find me and discover the treasure that I am, I am grateful to all the supporters of Second Chance, for I will not be one of the millions meeting an untimely ending…

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance, Volunteer & Foster Care, or other Programs.  Visit our shelter pets online: www.secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Direct Pet Column questions to:  kelly@secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Photo by Real Life Photographs.

Wrangler wrangles up the smiles.

Second Chance Humane Society is celebrating 15 years of success and invites the entire community to join with us!  There will be two celebrations in two areas of our large service region.  On Saturday September 26 we will be celebrating in Telluride at Elks Park and on Sunday September 27 we will be in Ridgway’s Town Park. 

Both events take place from 3-5 PM and involve “Chip Parties” offering ½ priced micro-chipping for all pets (only $25!) as well as an array of “chip” treats such as chocolate chip cookies and ice cream, chocolate chip cake, chips and dip, etc.  There will be music and giveaways as well.

Second Chance is hosting these community parties to highlight its origins (15 years ago) as a grassroots non-profit organization that has developed successful rescue and prevention programs and services as a result of the generosity, commitment, and consistent support of its surrounding communities.  Second Chance is also intends these parties to reflect our deep appreciation for all that the Ouray and San Miguel County communities have done (financial contributions, volunteering, donating and shopping at our Thrift Shop, etc…) to allow us to keep growing and rescuing hundreds of homeless pets each year.

We hope that community members will visit us (in the park of your choice) and take advantage of the great deal on micro-chipping your pets.  This is the absolutely best way to assure that your pet can quickly be returned to you if lost.  Microchips (implanted quickly and painlessly into subcutaneous layer of your pets skin) are tiny, harmless, and cannot (despite rumors) be tracked by a satellite.  They are simply encoded with a serial number that can be read by a scanner and tracked immediately to the pet parent listed in the database.   

Another celebratory event taking place as a benefit for Second Chance will be occurring on Sunday September 20^th at 2 PM at the Petco parking lot in Montrose.  In a nation-wide effort to support local shelters, maurices stores (in 44 states across the country) are hosting pet-themed fashion shows. The event in Montrose, “Rescues & Runways” will feature models (sporting the latest fall looks from maurices) and adoptable pets on the runway.  There will also be a silent auction with all proceeds going to Second Chance Humane Society.

Additionally, maurices store in Montrose is encouraging shoppers to support Second Chance Humane Society by bringing pet supplies to its store in exchange for a coupon for 20 percent off one regular-priced item. The campaign goal is to collect 500,000 pounds of supplies in its 700 stores across the nation.  Leashes, collars, toys, treats, and certain brands of pet foods are all being accepted at maurices throughout the month of September.

So come out and experience fashion, music, chocolate chips and microchips, and much more all in support of a 15 year tradition of providing second chances for homeless pets throughout the region!  My name is “Wrangler” and I am very excited about my doggie debut on the “catwalk” as I am certain to catch the eye of my new forever family…

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance, Volunteer & Foster Care, or other Programs.  Visit our shelter pets online: www.secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Direct Pet Column questions to:  kelly@secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Photo by Real Life Photographs.

"Kittler" the Kool Kat

Hi Pet Column readers, my name is “Kittler” and  this week the Second Chance Column has a guest author, Stanley Popovich, who wrote on “The Advantages of Adopting a Dog or Cat”: 

There are many advantages to adopting a dog or cat.   Adopting a pet can be a great way to reduce our every day stresses and anxieties.  In addition, there are many other reasons why adopting a dog or cat can be important in your life.

For instance, pets can help us to relax and help us to focus on the good things in our lives. This can be very helpful when we are overwhelmed by the stresses and anxieties of our lives.  Playing with our pets can help reduce our fears and anxieties in any situation.

Pets can get our minds off of our problems.   A person could do an activity with their pet or other animals that will give them a fresh perspective on things. Spending time with animals will get your mind off of the problem and give you the energy to do other things. Most importantly, playing with animals will give you the self-confidence that you can cope and that you can get through a stressful day.

Spending time with a pet can reduce loneliness and can be a great source of companionship. A pet can help us to feel better.  Also many people talk to their pets and this can help us to get their problems out in the open.  Animals can be of good company to all of us and can prevent the fear of being alone during our troubles.

Taking care of dog or cat can be a great way to increase our happiness and self-confidence.  There are many animals out there who could benefit from your time and talents. Doing something that will help your pet or other animals can give you a source of pride and accomplishment. 

BIOGRAPHY:

Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods” – an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/ 

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance, Volunteer & Foster Care, or other Programs.  Visit our shelter pets online: www.secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Direct Pet Column questions to:  kelly@secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Photo by Real Life Photographs.

Pet Column readers have been asking what promoting “Responsible Pet Parenting” means in the new mission statement of Second Chance Humane Society (Safeguarding Animals and Promoting Responsible Pet Parenting & the Human-Animal Bond).  It certainly is a short phrase with big implications, as responsible pet parenting involves a broad array of actions and decisions, most of which your pet can not make for him/herself. 

First let me preface with how Second Chance views its role in “Promoting Responsible Pet Parenting”.  Second Chance is not shouldering an approach of disciplinarian on the soapbox but instead hopes to offer education and encouragement to support pet parents in making the best choices for themselves, their pets, and their greater communities.  Second Chance is committed to maintaining our communities as pet-friendly and great places to be a pet parent.   

Now, there are the basic pet parenting responsibilities such as providing us with good nutrition, current vaccinations, appropriate and regular socialization and exercise, and proper training to be good mannered and safe pets in public.  But responsible pet parenting should go beyond the basics…

Second Chance feels that pet owners should consider themselves ambassadors of pets – promoting pets in a very positive light to those who do not have pets in their lives and who may even be uncomfortable around pets.  This “ambassador” approach will support a society that more fully integrates pets into daily living – as those without pets will learn to be more accepting and tolerant of well behaved pets, rather than seeing them as a nuisance. 

Thus, with this approach it is important to not turn people off to pets.  This is where it becomes very important to take extra care in following the basic responsibilities such as picking up your dog’s waste, not letting pets jump on people, and keeping pets leashed in areas where that is required.

Responsible pet parenting thus encompasses the concept that public areas where pets are allowed are a privilege and not a right.  Therefore, pet parents who ignore leash regulations in the few leash-restricted public areas that exist in our pet-friendly communities (citing varying reasons as it being their dog’s right,  or that their dogs behave better off  leash, etc.) are potentially threatening the general community’s tolerance of dogs in public areas. 

Also consider that some dogs feel very vulnerable while on a leash, and will act defensively toward other dogs that approach them, although off leash will not do so.  Thus, a dog who is leashed may not want to be approached by an unleashed dog and by not following leash restrictions you are causing challenges and upset to other dog parents as well.  If you are diligently opposed to leashing your dog, simply refrain from taking your dog to leash restricted public areas.  There are plenty of trails and open space in this region where good mannered dogs can exercise without a leash.

In a perfect world all people and dogs co-exist harmoniously, until such perfection is achieved, please accept your responsibilities as a pet parent and try to improve upon the relationships between both people and pets rather than contributing to any discord.  Ultimately this approach will reduce homeless pet issues and pets like me (my name is Orville Redenbarker, a.k.a “Popcorn”) will be in greater demand, thus spending less time in the shelter and more time with families where we belong.

Orville Reddenbarker - aka - Popcorn

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance, Volunteer & Foster Care, or other Programs.  Visit our shelter pets online: www.secondchancehumanesociety.org.  Direct Pet Column questions to:  kelly@secondchancehumanesociety.org. 

Photo by Real Life Photographs.